Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Guest AuthorSeptember 1, 2014

We are blessed to live in a state abundant in environmental riches, including more than 600 miles of beautiful beaches, over 900 freshwater springs, more than 11 million acres of wetlands and our own national treasure, the Florida Everglades. Our waterways and natural spaces are not just objects of beauty but foundational to the health […]

Guest AuthorAugust 13, 2014

Duke Energy Florida considers all options when determining the best way to provide safe, efficient, cost-effective and environmentally sound electricity for our customers. An article in Sunday’s Tampa Bay Times entitled “In Florida, Duke, always hungry to build, says existing plants aren’t viable,” failed to take several factors into account in drawing its conclusions. Earlier […]

Dan GelberAugust 5, 2014

Rick Scott holding a press conference to declare he wants to clean Florida’s water is sort of like Darth Vader declaring he supports intergalactic peace. Irony is aplenty when Scott announces he wants to spend millions to clean Florida’s waterways. Put aside the point that the last time Scott touted his “record funding” for environmental […]

Martin DyckmanJuly 30, 2014

In one of Bill Mauldin’s many memorable World War II “Stars and Stripes” cartoons, two Army officers stand on a cliff overlooking a picturesque French valley as sunlight streams through the clouds. “Beautiful view,” says one to the other. “Is there one for the enlisted men?” That cartoon came to mind the other day as […]

Peter SchorschJune 30, 2014

Charlie Crist’s difficult June was capped off by a highly critical column by Tim Nickens, the editor of the Tampa Bay Times editorial page. “As we head into July, the race appears essentially tied and Charlie Crist is not maximizing his greatest assets as the likeable guy who understands Floridians and their priorities,” writes Nickens. […]

Guest AuthorMay 6, 2014

Whoever limited the length of the Florida legislative session did so wisely. There’s no telling how much damage earnest but ideological politicians can do in 90 days. Too often we saw legislators proposing bills to suit constituents with narrow interests. Exhibit 1: The Growler bill pushed by major beer distributors but one that could have […]

Peter SchorschApril 14, 2014

Time was, all politicians up for election, whether it be to the Mosquito Control Board or U.S. Congress, had to submit a campaign treasurer’s report no later than 10 days after the quarterly period ended. This made the 10th of January, April, July, and October as eagerly anticipated by political aficionados as Christmas morning is […]

Guest AuthorDecember 5, 2013

Dear Peter, First, a word of thanks. Those of us who are veterans of the opinion website Florida Voices were pleased when you picked up the remnants of that failed experiment, created Context Florida and made it work. You offer us modest payment for our opinions, and it’s a great platform for an assortment of […]

Martin DyckmanNovember 20, 2013

A narrow majority on the Supreme Court reads the Constitution as if the calendar had not turned since 1791. According to Justice Antonin Scalia, the court’s duty is to “begin with the text, and to give that text the meaning that it bore when it was adopted by the people.” The trouble — and yes, […]

Guest AuthorSeptember 30, 2013

Last week, the news from downtown St. Petersburg set my heart racing. The Tampa Bay Times headline said it all: Ax-wielding man shot by St. Pete police had been institutionalized — and released — seven times. We have lost something in this country when a man can be institutionalized seven times, released, and still find […]

Tag: Tampa Bay Times

Steve Crisafulli: Legislature is committed to protecting Florida’s environment

Alex Glenn: Duke Energy Florida considers all options in developing energy plan

Dan Gelber: Scott supporting clean water is like Darth Vader supporting peace

Martin Dyckman: King Ranch scandal shows why you need newspapers

Peter Schorsch: It’s been frustrating watching Crist’s big lead evaporate

Andrew Skerritt: Ideological politicians run amok during legislative session

Peter Schorsch: Too much money data makes it tough to determine who’s winning

Cary McMullen: An open letter to Peter Schorsch

Martin Dyckman: Court’s ‘originalism’ rulings threaten American Republic

Ben Kirby: For our children: a renewed commitment to mental health